Hot pin heading machine



Nov. 20, 1951 F. J. WRIGHT HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 18. 1949 Nov. 20, 1951 F. J. WRIGHT HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE s sheets-sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18. 1949 Illll Nov.7 20, 1951 Filed Jan. 18. 1949 F. J. WRIGHT HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 To AIR SUPPLY /NVE/v TOR; FRED JAA/mem,

TTDK

NOV. 20, 1951 l:-- J WRlGHT 2,575,504

HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 18. 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Lui L2 NOV' 20, 1951 F. J. WRIGHT HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 18. 1949 O Ely.

ATT.

Nov. 20, 195,1 F. J. WRIGHT HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 18. 1949 Ka/Vm,

TT'Y,

Nov. 20, 1951 F. J. WRIGHT HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Jan. 18. 1949' R, o T m V /N FRED J. WxQlGl-rr,

TTpY.,

Nov. 20, 1951 F. J. WRIGHT 2,575,504

HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 18. 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED PATENT OFFICE HOT PIN HEADING MACHINE Fred J. Wright, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation Application January 18, 1949, Serial No. 71,465

13 Claims. (Cl. 1011) This invention relates to a pin heading machine adapted to take round bar stock of predetermined lengths, to heat one end thereof, and to form the heated end into a head, the machine being automatic in operation and merely requiring the feeding of the pins thereto.

An object of the invention therefore is to provide an improvedmachine of the above mentioned type in which various operations are performed to heat the pin at one end, carry the heated pin to dies, clamp it in position and then form a head on the heated end, thereafter ejecting it and repeating the operation, which is all automatically and continuously performed.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing one form of the pin heading machine involving my invention, with emphasis particularly on the clamping and head forming dies and actuating hydraulic cylinders therefor;

Fig. 2 is an elevational View of the machine taken at right angles to Fig. 1, with parts in section, showing the induction heating mechanism for the pins as well as the guiding and feeding means therefor, together with the clamping and heading dies;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing particularly the relation of the holding dies and associated limit switches, together with the pin ejecting mechanism and the reciprocating carrier for the lower die;

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing particularly the induction heating mechanism for the pins to be headed;

Fig. 5 is a piping diagram of the hydraulic circuit of the machine of Figs. 1 to 4;

Fig. 6 is an electrical wiring diagram of the machine of Figs. l to 5;

Fig. 7 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, of a modified form of pin heading machine;

Fig. Sis a view, generally similar to Fig. 2, of the modified machine, in which the induction pin heating mechanism is not shown;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing the ejecting mechanism of the machine of Figs. '7 and 8;

Fig. l0 is a view showing the upper and lower clamping dies, a headed pin stripping device, and the mechanism for supporting and reciprocating the lower clamping die;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view showing particularly a hold-down device for the pins and its association with the heating mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational View of the device of Fig. 11 and associated parts of the pin heading machine;

Fig. 13 is a front elevational View of the device of Figs. 11 and 12;

Fig. 14 is a view, similar to Fig. l2, with parts broken away, and with the lower die in a different position, showing particularly the operation of the hold-down mechanism in cooperation with a pin just prior to the pins being received by the lower die; and

Fig. 15 is a piping diagram of the pin heading machine of Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive.

In the accompanying drawings there are two specifically different machines disclosed, though they have certain important characteristics in common, while in other important characteristics they are dierent.

Referring rst to the machine illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, it includes a main frame 20 which includes a continuous encircling framework having a large central opening 2| within which the heading operation on the pins takes place. Rigidly attached to the' main frame 2E! and in the bottom of the opening 2| there is a supporting or guide block 22 formed of two parts, removably connected together, which receive and hold a reciprocating die block 23, which die block 23 is mounted for reciprocating motion. This reciprocating motion is supplied by a double acting air cylinder or motor 24 carried by a platform 25 which is rigidly connected to the top of a hydraulic tank 26, all of which is rigidly attached to the main frame 20.

The die block 23 carries a removable lower clamping die 21. It is evident that the die blocks 23 and lower clamping die 2'| are adapted to reciprocate in a horizontal plane. The lower clamping die 2'| is provided with a transverse semi-cylindrical pin receiving groove 28 adapted to receive a pin 29.

Above the guide block 22 and rigidly attached to the main frame 20 there is a vertical guide block 3D which receives and guides a die block 3| which is mounted therein between relatively removable parts, being carried on opposite sides thereof for vertical or up and down reciprocatory motion. Die block 3| carries a removable upper clamping die 32 on the bottom thereof, which clamping die 32 is provided with a semi-cylindrical pin receiving groove 33. The clamping dies 2l and 32 under one condition are adapted to be positioned so that the grooves 28 and 33 are in alignment and cooperate to effectuate a clamping of a pin 29 during a heading operation, as hereinafter described. The die block 3| is carried at the bottom of a piston head 34 of a ment with the heading tool 31 and onthe'opposite Y side of the dies 21 and 32 there is a bucking tool or head 39, carried by the rma'in )f1-ame L20, which cooperates to take the axialfthrus't-from a-pin 1219 While the head is being formed by the tool or die 31.

Adjacent one side of the main frame 26 and upon the platform 25 there is a combination A'pin heating and feeding mechanism 4U by which the mnheaded pins :are fed :through :an induction .heater-.sothat-oneaend of themzis heated so "that a head may be formed thereon by the .heading mechanism, a heated pin lbeing 'carried to and received by the reciprocating lower ,clamping die :'tool 2:1by -whic'h It is '.e'd .to .a clamping and -h'eading position, as .fhereinafter vdescribed more completely.

Thepinfheating andeeding mechanism ft@ in- .'cludes .afram'e '4I v.which is :generally joox type and has an upwardly sloping top plate s2. llins '2'9 fito .b'e ihead'edtare i. guided along a rchute provided by the feeding mechanism .kill Vwhich 'includes vthe 'top iplate .'42 vuponwhichthe vpins lare supported .an-amide, together .withran :adjustable vpin guid- Ling 'bar 143 which Iextends along :one end -of :the pins 129 .fand adjacent vwhich `they lgenerally .abut while sliding over the plate 42.

As .viewed in Eigm of ithe drawings, `.there is an adjustable top .guide .plate .'34 which loosely 4clamps .thezpins29 `n place :while permittingtheir -lfreesliding .movement .over the 'plate 132, rsimultaneously .maintaining .them :in adjacent stacked positions as illustratediniig. 2rof Cthe-drawings. As viewed in Fig. .4 :of the drawings, only .ap-

proXimately the flower two-thirds of each. pin259 rides on :the #plate l2 :and is belowith'e guideplate "44. '.'llhe upper ione-'third of .reach pin, v'as .Viewed fin saidFig. 4, (which fis :actually rin ya lhoriontal position), lextends "freely beyond the supporting ypla'tef42 '.andnthe :guide plate M .fand into a U- :shaped longitudinal channel of :an induction "heating unit '115 `so 'that one .of fthe .ends -.of .each of the pins 29 is subject to high frequency elec- Itni'cl induction heating, .fas the pin travels from th'efltop Ito the .bottom .of .the Aplate 42,ashereiniafterrdescribed. 'The'.heating Vunit t5 Vmaybe ipart :o'f Jany standard fhigh if-requ'ency induction :elecetri'cal h'eating lunit such fas that sold under .the trad'e inamefof Blocco Jr This type .of 'heating is preferred because it tends `to concentrate the inenting of .thep'in .fat ithe'head lend which iis to 1re 'upset ito form a pin lhead.

Ehe `ft'opmost vof the 'pins 29 .maybe .fed by hand lfor mechanically, :as desired,fas.each heated :pin is fed from :the bottomof :the stack. To :feed a pin from the `:bottom :of a stack :a .pivoted "feed lever #i 'is provided which 'is carried by the frame el Y fand '.is .actuated lvby va double acting air cylinder or imotor 41 to lpush on the ltop pin 29 -o'f the :groupfcf pinscarried on the piatefd. This pushing .on the top pin vwill lpi-'ovide sufficient force itc force the lower pin 23 Aover a spring-pressed -r'leten't @8 rwhich normally holds the :pins VA29 in .theiposition illustrated in`Fig. 2 ofthe drawings. Whenever the lcwermost pin29 `-releasexi, -a

above stated, it will fall by gravity down a guide chute 49 which includes what is in effect an eX- tension of the plate 132, an extension of the top guide plate 134, and an extension of the guide bar 3, together with an adjustable guide 53 Which is adjacent the heated end of the pin 29. (See Fig. 4.)

The yoperation-foi the machine, together with various valves and limit switches'contrdllcd by it is described hereinafter in connection with the description of a complete cycle of operation which is-.described 4in conjunction with a description of Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

'.Itis evident, Ihowever, that the heading operation "will atake place on a pin 2S when it is clamped between the dies 21 and 32. When a @1m29 'hastbeen .headed the die 32 will be lifted from the die 21 by elevating the die block 3|,

"whereupon the die block 23 together with the die 21 Will be reciprocated rearwardly, or at right #angles .ito the yaxis of v:movement :of die y32; and .die

block'S I, to receivesanotherheatedfpin. :During this-rearward or 'feeding reciprocating .movement of 'fthe block 23 4the -headeo1 :pinfZS will be .ejected l; wby a bell :crank :lever .5I .which :is 1pivote-:fd tothe die block 23 about a horizontakaxisandr-is biased 'by :a spring 152 so that one farm of Ithe vlever 5i rnormally rests fon 'a Apin-53 also fcarrie'd `:by the block '23. As kthe block 23 :moves "to the `riglit,

as viewed lin Fig. 3, thelnorm'ally upstanding arm of thelever fE will becaughtby one wing :of 'a pivoted lever l5@ which 'is `pivotally -fattachedto 'the -upper die block T31 and h'as one wing Lnormally held against -a stop 55, Tcarried bly bloc'k 3i, by a spring "56 attached Avat-one -end'to c:said

blocks-i. Y Y

During the reverse travel vof the yblock 12.3 the upstanding arrn-o'f the ibe'illcrank 'lever til, upon contacting the downwardly v'extending wing of the lever 523, -will -swing it `raga'inst'the ftens'ionfof the spring :lit 'to re-set theeje'ctingzmechanism Attention is now directedparticularlyfto Figs. 5 and 5 of the drawings whichwilllbe described in connection with a 'complete cycleo'f operation of the complete unit. To start 4the'funit '11n operation the switch MS'IQFigx) is=closed which energizes relay Ci 'over an obvious -circu'it ffrom energized lines or conductors yLI and L2. Asignal lamp 51 is energized when switch TMSI `Ais closed, to designate its iclosed condition. Relay CI, on energizing, -closes the Vcircuit 4to the high frequency induction unit 58 through a Astep-up transformer, energy being derived from -a high.

frequency source, such as the "Tocco irri yunit previously mentioned.

Switch MS2 is then closed which `energires 4Vrelay CZ over conductor 59 and the normally closed contacts of'relay C@ andthe vcontacts of a'ilimit switch LSB, which ,limit switch LSB iisassocia'ted 4with and operated by the Vhydraulic icylinder or .motor 2 when said cylinder or 'motor 24 is in its out 0r pin receiving position which is 'the .physical .relation of the mechanical parts at the .start cfa cycle vof operation.

Relay C2, on `energizing,.closes 4a .hold .circuit VVfor vitself `which extends `fromline LI through the Ynormally closed vcontacts .of limit switch .LSI Ato cuit. Solenoid .S I `on energizing, .controls .a valve 5I (see Eig. l5) fso :as to:supplyyairlunderpressure to the head or left-hand end of cylinder 41 to cause its piston and piston rod to move to the right, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings. This actuates the previously described feed lever 46 to feed the lower heated pin 26 down the guide or chute 49 into the lower clamping die 21 which is positioned directly below said chute 49 to receive it, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Cylinder or motor 41, in operating, actuates switch LSI which opens its normally closed contacts and closes its normally open contacts, the former breaking the above described holding circuit for relay C2, which thereupon drops out and de-energizes solenoid SI. The air valve 6| is biased so that when solenoid SI is deenergized it moves automatically to divert the air to the piston rod or right-hand end of the cylinder 41 which will return the piston and piston rod thereof to its pin feeding position, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The normally open contacts of switch LSI, on closing, energize relay C5 over an obvious circuit which includes the normally closed contacts of switch PS2 which is a pressure responsive switch in the hydraulic circuit, as hereinafter described. Relay C5, upon energizing, establishes a holding circuit for itself over the normally closed contacts of limit switch LS2 which is controlled by the die block 23.

The two lower contacts of the relay C5 close lan obvious circuit to solenoid S2 to energize it.

Solenoid S2 controls a valve 62 (see Fig. 5). The valve 62 thus being actuated delivers air under pressure to the double acting cylinder 24 to move it to the left, as viewed in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings, which will feed the pin 23, carried in the lower die 21, inward or to the left, as viewed in said figures, until said die 21 is positioned directly below the die 32, with the two grooves 28 and 33 in alignment.

When the lower or bottom die 21 reaches its inward position, as above mentioned, the die block 23 will actuate limit switch LS2 to close its normally open contacts and open its normally closed contacts. Bridging the normally closed contacts of limit switch LS2 is a manual switch MS3. If switch MSS is not now closed, relay C5 is de-energized, as is solenoid S2, and valve 62 is spring-biased so that it automatically reverses itself, causing cylinder 24 to reverse, which ejects this pin without heading it and positions the die 21 to receive another pin. This operation is desirable in case a pin 29 has been Afed which has not been heated, as frequently will happen during the starting of the machine in operation.

For normal and automatic operation of the unit, switch MSS will be closed. Under such conditions, relay C5 will have a holding circuit which extends through switch MS3 over an obvious conductor to the second contact from the top of said relay and through normally closed switch PS2. Under these conditions the lower die 21 will be held in its in position.

On closing the normally open contacts of limit switch LS2, as above described, relays C3 and C6 are energized in parallel over the now closed contacts of relay C5. The circuit for relay C6 is as follows: through the now closed normally opened contacts of limit switch LS2 over an abviousconductor to the upper now closed contacts of relay C5, thence by a conductor 63 to the normally closed upper contacts of relay C1, thence by an obvious conductor to relay C6, one side of the coil of which is connected directly to the line L2. The circuit for relay C3 is the same up to the conductor which branches off relay C6, which conductor is extended to one terminal of the winding of relay C3. The other terminal of the winding of relay C3 is extended by conductor 64 to the line L2.

Relay C6, on energizing, energizes solenoid S3 over both of its contacts. Solenoid S3 energizes a four-way hydraulic valve 65 (see Fig. 5) which when in its neutral position, to which it is spring-biased, provides a normal no-load bypass for a hydraulic pump 66 which derives hydraulic uid from the tank 26, the return ow from the by-pass into valve 65 being by way of pipe or conduit 61. A protective pressure relief valve 68 is also preferably provided for the pump 66.

When solenoid S3 is operated, as aforesaid, the hydraulic iiuid delivered by the pump 66 to conduit, pipe or line 69 is delivered by conduit or pipe 10 through a sequence valve 1I to a fluid actuated four-Way valve 12 lwhich shifts its spool to connect the piston rod side of the cylinder 35 to con- 1 duit, pipe or line 13 which circulates the oil on the piston rod side of the cylinder 35 to the piston. head sideA thereof to effect a speed-up operation thereof. Four-way valve 12, in operating, also connects a hydraulic pipe, conduit or line 14 to the tank conduit, pipe or line 15.

Sequence valve 1I will operate under a relatively low pressure, such as one hundred and fifty pounds per square inch which is adequate to shift the spool of four-way valve 12. As soon as this pressure is developed in the line 16, the hydraulic fluid therein will be diverted to pipe, conduit or line 16 and through sequence valve 11, flowing to the head end of cylinder 35 which expands, moving the die block 3l and upper clamping die 32 downward, clamping the pin 29 between the dies 21 and 32. In other words, this effects a clamping of a pin to be headed, between the upper and lower or top and bottom dies 21 and 32.

The sequence valve 11 will operate in response to relatively low pressure, such as two hundred and fty pounds per square inch, which will be developed after cylinder 35 is expanded, as above set forth. The circulating circuit above described, provided by the four-way valve 12, will produce high speed operation of the cylinder 35.

When sequence valve 11 opens, the hydraulic fluid in the line 16 will be diverted by way of pipe, conduit or line 18 to the head end of heading cylinder 36 which will move the piston rod and heading tool 31 to the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings, forcing the heading tool 31 against the heated end of the pin 2S, the opposite end of which will abut the bucking tool or head 38. At this time the piston rod end of the cylinder 36 is connected to tank over line 14.

It is intended that a relatively high pressure will be developed in lines 15, 16 and 13 during a heading operation and once the head is formed this pressure will actuate the pressure responsive switch PSI which may be set to operate at a pressure in the neighborhood of two thousand pounds per square inch.

When the normally opened contacts of pressure switch PSI are thus closed in response to the completion of a heading of the heated pin 29 which is clamped between the upper and lower dies 21 and 32, relay C1 (see Fig. 5) is energized over an obvious circuit including the normally closed contacts of pressure responsive switch PS2, which are now closed since this switch is con- Relay CE, on cle-energizing, de-energizes solenoid S3. Relay'C', on die-energizing, de-ener- Vgizes relay Cd, unless the Vtimer contacts of a timer TR1 are closed, in which case relay Cd remains energized until the contacts-of the timer TRI are opened. Timer TR1 starts into operation when relay C3 is energized and continues in operation until it breaks its own contacts, the circuit for it being obvious by reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings.

When relay C2'v is energized, as above mentioned, it also energizes solenoid S4 which controls the valve B5 (see Fig. 5) to reverse its position `from that above described; this valve 55 being a self-centering spring-biased valve. Upon valve 65 vbeing reversed by solenoid Sii, pressure from the pump 66 is delivered over line 69 to pipe., conduitor line .18 through a `sequence valve .3B which is similar to valve li and" provides a free path to four-way valve 'l2 which is thereupon reversed. to deliver hydraulic iiuid to pipe, conduit or line :81 which retracts cylinders 35 and 35, the'former .by Way of rpipe, conduit or line '82 which fis now connected -to conduit '7d by the four-way valve 12. Conduit 'i3 is now connected to tank conduit 7.5 by four-way valve 'l2 and a check valve built into vsequence valve 'I-'I connects conduit 1 -8 to conduit 13 and `ultimately to tank, thus'provid- 'ing for the ready retractive movement 4of the 4cylinders `35 and 3E.

When the cylinders 35 and 36 are retracted, pres-sure :in the line 8l will build up to .operate the pressure responsiveswitch PS2 which may be set at a medium pressure, such as ve hundred 'pounds per square inch. Switch PS2, on operat- Vdie block 23 moves to this position, the contacts of yswitch LSB 'are closed. This `energizes relay C2 Vto start automatically ythe above described cycle -all over again.

It"isthus evident that oncethe unit is placed into operation it will continue automatically to head the pins 29, the only requirement being that they be continuously fed to the top of the pin heating and feeding mechanism A!! upon which they are supported 'and heated.

Attention Yis now directed to Figs. 7 through V10 and 1-5, show-ing a modified form of heading machine in which all of the controls are affected hydraulically, thus eliminating entirely the -electrical-systern and eliminating the lair operated cylinders, though, if desired, one or- `more of the `.cylinders Amay be air operated. l

`,Ihis particular embodiment of the invention Sequence valve '88 then Ioperates includes a mainframe ,83 which includes a continuous encircling framework having a large central opening 84 within which the heading operation on the pins takes place. Rigidly attached to the main frame 83 and in the bottom of the opening 84 there is a supporting or guide block 85 formed of two parts (see Fig, ,9) removably connected together, which receive and i hold a reciprocating die block 85, which die block 86 is mounted for reciprocatory motion in a horizontal plane. This reciprocatory motion is supplied by a double acting hydraulic cylinder or motor 8l' carried by a pin supporting frame 88 which is Vrigidly attached to the main frame 83. The die block 86 carries a removable lower clamping die 89. The lower clamping die 89 is provided with a transverse semi-cylindrical pin receiving groove 9i! adapted to receive a pin 9i.

Above the guide block 85 and rigidly attached to the main frame 83 there is a vertical guide block S2 which receives and guides a die block e3 which is mounted therein between relatively removable parts, being carried on Yopposite sides Athereof for vertical ,or up and down reciprocatory motion at right angles to the reciprocatory motion of the die block 88. Die block 83 carries a removable upper clamping die @il on the bottom thereof, which .clamping die 9.4 is provided with a semi-cylindrical pin receiving groove Sii.y The clamping dies 88 and Sd under one condition are adapted rto be positioned so that thegrooves 90 and are in alignment (as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings), whereupon they may. 'be clamped together to effect a clamping of .the .pin 9| during a heading operation, as hereinafter described.

The die block 93 is carried at the bottom of a piston head Se of a double vacting hydraulic cylinder orr motor Sl carried adjacent the top of the main frame 83. On one side the main frame 33 carries a double acting pin heading cylinder or motor .8 which has a heading tool or die 99 connected to the piston rod thereof, which tool Yor die 99 has a pin head forming recess H20 on the right-hand ,or outer end thereof.

The axis of the horizontal motor or cylinder 98 is through a vertical plane which bisects the groove 95 0f the die 94. In alignment with the heading tool 99 yand on the opposite side of the working portions of the dies 8 8 and 9d, there is a bucking tool or head liil carried by the main frame .83, which vcooperates to take the ,axial thrust from a pin Si While the head is being formed by the tool or die 9S.

To ,one side of the main frame 83 and carried on the supporting frame 88 there Ais a downwardly sloping pin supporting plate vl'lZ which constitutes part of a pin feed-ing, supporting and heating mechanism which in its general structure `and function is similar `to the pin heating and feeding mechanism 4D above described. It diifers therefrom, however, in certain details which are evident from the drawings and from The left-hand ends Aof the pins, as viewed inV F-ig. ll, project vbeyond the .plate |82 and pass 9 under the influence of the coils of a high frequency induction heating unit which may be supplied with high frequency current from any desired source, such as the Tocco Jr. unit.

Adjacent its forward end the plate |02 carries a pivoted feed arm |06 which has an upwardly extending head |01 which is positioned below the lowermost pin 9| and works between the lower end of the supporting plate |02 and a stop bar |08 which is carried by a bracket which forms in effect an extension of the pin supporting plate |02.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. and l2 of the drawings, when the die block 36 and die 89 are in their in or pin clamping position the head |01 will rest beneath the lowermost pin 9|. When the die block 86 is removed to its out or pin receiving position, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 14 of the drawings, the cam surface |09 on the die block 86 cooperates with a roller llll carried by the feed arm |06 to swing said feed arm about its pivot, thus moving thc head |01 upwardly to push the pin over the stop bar |08 and allow it to roll into the pin groove 90 of the lower clamping die 89.

It has been found in practice that for some pins, depending upon their size and/or material, the pin is not always accurately received in the slot 90, with the mechanism as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10 of the drawings. To overcome this difficulty, a pin hold-down mechanism as disclosed in Figs. 11 to 14 of the drawings, was devised which constitutes the invention of Kenneth T. Davis. This particular mechanism is disclosed and claimed in application Serial No. 86,265, filed April 8, 1949, now Patent No. 2,554,564, dated May 29, 1951. However, since it is a desirable adjunct to the pin heading machine, under certain circumstances, it will be described in detail here- Pin hold-down mechanism includes a generally horizontal body plate or frame |2 to which is connected an upwardly inclined integrally formed bracket and pin guide plate ||3 having a wing H4 provided with an elongated slot adapted to be releasably connected to the stop bar |08 to support the plate |12, ||3 at one end. Adjacent the other end there is a generally vertical guide plate ||5 which has an outwardly ared top and which is rigidly attached to the left-hand end of the plates ||2 and ||3, as viewed in Fig. 1l of the drawings.

Guide plate ||5 acts as a guide and abutment plate for the left-hand or heated ends of the pins 9|, as viewed in Fig. l1, guiding said pins as they are ejected by the head |01 and rolled over the top of the stop bar |08. The guide plate I|5 is punched to receive a pivot stud H6 which has a double function of attaching the left-hand end of the pin hold-down mechanism to the stop bar |08 and providing a pivot to support a bell crank actuator ||1. The actuator has a downwardly extending curved arm which is adapted to be contacted by a pin Hi8 carried by the die block 86, as the die block 86 moves toward its outer or retracted position.

In Fig. 14 of the drawings the various parts are illustrated, in which feed arm |06 has been actuated by cam |09 to push a pin 9| over the stop bar |08, which pin 9| was then guided by the guide plate ||3 as it rolled over the curved lowermost nose of the stop bar |08 and fell onto a latsurface on the top of the die block 86 or die 89.

,The parts are so timed that substantially at the instant the pin drops on top of the die block 86, or of the die 89 which constitutes a continuation thereof, the bell crank ||1 will have been sufciently moved from its inactive position, as illustrated in Fig. 12, to its active postion, as illustrated in Fig. v14, so as to stretch a helical spring |59 extending between the upper arm of the crank i1 and a pivoted lever |20 sufficient to swing the lever |29 from its inactive position of Fig. 12 to its active position of Fig. 14.

The lever |26 is rigidly attached to a pivot rod 52E pivotally mounted on the plate I2 and carrying a rigidly attached wing, butterfly or apper |22. The flapper |22, when inactive, in effect constitutes a part oi the plate I3. The plate I3, however, has an opening through which the iiapper can swing on the pin |2| from the inactive position of Fig. 12 to the active position of Fig. 14.

Thus when a pin 9| has been dropped onto the die block 96 or the die 89, as above mentioned, spring H9 will be tensioned suciently so as to swing the lapper |22 down over the pin 9| and hold it down against the upper surface of said die block 86 or die 89. The flapper |22 is biased to its inactive position by a helical spring |23 which surrounds the pivot rod |21, being attached to the hub of the lever |29 at one end, and to a stationary journal box on the plate ||5 at the other end.

The two springs |9 and |23 cooperate so that a snap action in both directions is imparted to the apper 22. That is, as bell crank ||1 is swung rearwardly, or to the left, as viewed in Figs. 12 and 14, spring |9 will be expanded until it has adequate force to overcome spring |23. Flapper |22 will then snap from its inactive position of Fig. 12 to its active position of Fig. 14. Any further rearward movement of the die block 86 will merely further expand spring IIS without significant effect.

Fig. 14 shows the relation of the parts just prior to the die block 86 reaching its rearmost or outer position and under these conditions the pin 9| thereon will be rolling over the surface of the die 89, being guided by the apper |22 and by the plate H5 adjacent one end thereof. The other end is guided by an adjustable guide block |24 which is adjustably mounted on the horizontal plate ||2.

When the die block 86 reaches its rearmost position a pin 9| will have been rolled into the groove 99 and as the die block 86 moves forwardly the parts will ultimately assume the positions illustrated in Fig. 12, with a pin 9| carried in the die 99, as illustrated in said Fig. 12. There is also a hold-down spring tongue |25 carried by the plate H2 and extending forwardly therefrom to hold the pin 9| in the groove 98 after said pin passes from under the plate I2.

The operation of the heading machine, together with its hydraulic control circuit, can best be understood by a description of one complete cycle of operation thereof. Referring to Fig. 15 of the drawings, wherein the hydraulic circuit is illustrated, it will be seen that there are two hydraulic pumps, one pump being designated |2|a` and constituting a constant delivery pump which derives hydraulic fluid, such as oil, from a tank |21. The other pump, designated |28, is a variable volurne pump. By adjusting the volumetric output of the variable volume pump |28 the speed of operation of the system may be controlled.

The output of pump |28 is delivered to a pressure pipe, line or conduit |29 through a high pressure relief valve |30 which will spill to tank inre'spnse to excessive pressure. There vis also a'reverfse'flow eheckva-lve |3'l' interposed between relief'valve |39 and cnduit "|291 A pressure reliefvalve |32 and a reverse -ow check 'valve |33 are interposed between the variable delivery 'pump |28 and the pressure conduit |29.

i" "Beading from each of the high Vpressure relief valves |39 and V|332 there is a branch conduit which is connected to a manually operableunloading valve |34, there being a'reverse iiow check valve |34" in eac-h of'these branch conduits. A tank conduit or'pipe' |35 leads from the unloading valve By operating the unloading valve |34 in oneposition," relief valves |39 and |32 becomeeffective by-p'a's'sf valves and by-pass the''outpu't of- 'botlif the pumps |26 and |29 t tank.v In the 'other position of the unloadin g valve |34, pressure relief valves |39 and |32- act asnornal pressure reliefvalves. The unloading valve |34 can therefore be employed to stop the complete operation of the heading machine at any time and substantially instantaneslyi.

VmUnder normal operating conditions hydraulic fluid will be delivered/tothe pressure conduit |29. Assuming that Va pin 9| has just been received' the groove V9!) of the lower clamping die 89 when it is in'itsV out or pin receiving position and the die block 86 is ready to be shuttled forwar'dfor'to its in position. Under these conditions the spoolsV oftwo four-way valves |36 af'nd |31v are in' their left-hand positions, as viewed in Fig. 15.`

Pressure Vfrom the pressure conduit |35 is therefore delivered to the two right-hand cylinder ports ofthese valves |35 and I3?. Valve |39 is actually r'a control valve which controls the position ofvalve |31. Hydraulic uid under pressure' will therefore How from valve |31 to line, pipe or conduit |38, to the top of a pin ejecting cylinder |39. The pin ejecting cylinder |39 is l part of 'a pin ejecting mechanism which is best disclosed in Fig. 9 ofthe drawings. It constitutes a small cylinder which is fixed to the guide block r85 and has an actuating piston rod |49I which is in` alignment with the groove 95 of the upper die 94.

The die block 83 carries a spring-pressed plunger |4l which is adapted to align itself with the piston rod |49 when the lower pin clamping die 89 is in its in position, or, in other words, the pin groove 99 is in alignment with the pin groove 95, as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the'drawings.

APlunger |4| preferably carries a cross-head |42 which cooperates with one or more pins |43 which project through the bottom of the groove 9U in the die 89. As illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the die 89 has a removable insert portion over part of its length which may or may not be employed. In seme instances it has been found desirable to make this insert portion of very high tensile steel and to make it separate. In other cases, this has not been found necessary.

In any event, the pins |43, or at least one of them, when moved upwardly, will contact any pin 9| in the groove 99 and push it upwardly, preferably with the upward movement ofthe upper clamping die 94, holding it in the groove 95 thereof until the pin 9| is rolled over the upper surface of the die 89, as said die 99 moves to its "out or right-hand position, as viewer in Figs. Sand 10. The effect of this, of coursejis to hold .the pin in the upper groove 95 until-'the groove 99 moves from Vunder it, whereupon 'the' pin will roll over the upper surface of the vfzljie 13'9 while being held in the groove 95a; th'edie's 89 and 94 preferably separating only an amount sujcient to produce this action. As a consequence, as the die block moves to the right from the position illustrated in Fig. 10, the removed pin 9| will roll ofi the left-hand end of the upper surface of the die block 95.

Should there be any tendency for the pin 9| to stick in the upper groove 95, it will be ejected by an ejecting cam |34 carried by an arm l|45 which is attached to a bracket |39 which in turn is attached to the die block 33. The cam |44 will Contact the head of any pin 9| which tends to stick in the groove and eject it, causing the pin to fall on the bracket |43. which constitutes a downwardly sloping chute over which the headed pins can roll from the machine into any desired receptacle.

Reverting to a consideration of the hydraulic system of Fig. 15 and its operation, simultanee ously with the contraction of ejecting cylinder |39, hydraulic fluid under pressure. is. also delivered through a sequence valve |41 to the head end of free cylinder 81 causing the die block 85 and the lower clamping die, 8.9 to, shuttle, to,` its in or heading and clamping position. At the end of its stroke, pressure will develop. in line |38 to` actuate sequence valve |41, whichV will bea relatively low pressure, such asonehundred and fifty pounds per square inch.

Sequence valve |41, on operating, will deliver the hydraulic fluid under -pressure to line, pipe or conduit |43 which ows through sequence valve |49 to the head end or top of clamp, cylinder 91, forcing the die block 93and the upper clamping die 94 downwardi to clamp a pin 9| between the two dies 89 and 94,

When pressure in the line |48 reaches a predetermined. velue, Such @sone hundred and; flity pounds per Square inch,V sequence valve |49 will Opera, delivering the hydraulic fluid` t9 line-,pine 0r, Qorlslult. |58. and bv it t@ thev head and, Qf. the heading cylinder 9 8 throughl sequence valve |5|. Heading vlinder 9.6, upon. Operating will. forse, the die 99 against the heated end off, the pin 9| which, is clamped bett/Beuth@ clamping dies 89. and 94 and forma headron it.

When theA pressure in the line |59 builds up to a relatively high value, such as fifteen hundred pounds per square inch, the sequencevalve |5| will divert the hydraulic uid to line, pipe or conduit |52 whichfis connectedy withvconduit |59 through a reverse ow check valve |53,

The high pressure fluid in the line |52 is de-l livered to the left-hand endrof valve |35. which reverses the spool thereof, thusv delivering fluid from the pressure line |35 to the left-hand, end of the valve or spool |33, alsoreversing it. Fluid pressure is then delivered from conduit |35 by valve |3 to line, pipe orconduit |54 which operates the pin ejecting cylinder |39 to push the headed pin 9| upwardly, or, in otherY words, maintainit in the upperV groove 95' of die 94, as said die 94 moves upward, as hereinafter described.

The iiuid in conduit or pipe |54 ilows through sequence valve |55 to the piston rod end ofthe cylinder 98 to retract it. When pressure builds up in this line |99 to a predetermined value, whichmay be relatively low, such as one hundred and fty pounds per square inch,` oil-is delivered through pipe, line or conduit |56, to the piston rod end ofthe shuttle or feed cylinderf; through sequencevalve |51. causing the cylinder 81 to move outwardly or to the right, thus shuttling the guide block 86 and/ or clamping die 89 to the pin receiving position.

' When the valve |31 was actuated to the right,

as above described, the constant fluid pressure in the line |29, which is delivered to the piston rod end of the cylinder 91, immediately moved` it upward `together with the die block 93 and die 94, since the line or conduit |48 is now connected to drain through the sequence valve |41 which provides a free reverse iiow between conduit |48 and conduit |38; conduit |38 under these circumstances being connected by four-way valve |31 to drain line |35.

When the sequence valve |527 is actuated, upon the cylinder 81 reaching its outermost position of travel, the hydraulic fluid is delivered to con-l duit, pipe or line |58 to reverse the spool of valve |36, moving it to the left, which effects movement of the four-way valve 31 to the left, thus starting a new cycle of operation,

Associated with the previously described sequence valve is a needle valve 55 which .vents valve 55| so that it will operate at a low pressure rather than a high pressure. This is desirable whenever a pin 9| is clamped in the two dies 89 and 94, which has not been heated, thus allowing the pin to be discharged without applying a heading pressure to the tool @9 through cylinder Q8. This operation is generally required when the unit is rst placed in operation, since there will be a number of pins which have not been heated or adequately heated to effect the heading operation.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as dened by the claims hereto appended, and applicant therefore wishes not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Havingthus described and shown an embodiment of the invention, what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A pin heading machine including means supporting a row of pins, means for heating one end of each pin by electrical induction, relatively movable upper and lower pin clamping means having alignable pin receiving grooves cooperating to clamp a pin, power operated means for reciprocating said upper pin clamping means upwardly and downwardly, power operated means for reciprocating said lower pin clamping means between two eXtreme positions in one of which the pin receivinggrooves of said upper and lower pin clamping means are in alignment and in the other Aof which the lower pin clamping means is in a position to receive a pin from said pin supporting means, power operated means for feeding one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to said lower pin clamping means while it is in said pin receiving position, meansfor actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin from its pin receiving position to its position where the pin receiving groove thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving groove of the upper pin clamping means While said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the first named power operated means to lower said upper in clamping means into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the axis of said pin to form a head on said pin, actuating means operable thereafter in sequence first to operate the rst named power operated means to elevate said upper pin clamp'- ing means and second to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower pin clamping means to its pin receiving position, and mechanism operable in response to said second operation to eject the headed pin from the slot of said lower pin clamping means.

2. A pin heading machine including means supporting a row of pins, means for heating one end of each pin by electrical induction, relatively movable upper and lower pin clamping means having alignable pin receiving grooves cooperating to clamp a pin, power operated means for reciprocating said upper pin clamping means upwardly and downwardly, power operated means for reciprocating said lower pin clamping means between two extreme positions in one of which the pin receiving grooves of said upper and lower pin clamping means are in alignment and in the other of which the lower pin clamping means is in a-position to receive a pin from said pin supporting means, power operated means for feeding one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to said lower pin clamping means while it is in said pin receiving position, means for actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin from its pin receiving position to its position where the pin receiving groove thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving groove of the upper pin clamping means while said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the first named power operated means to lower said upper pin clamping means into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the axis of said pin to form a head on said pin, and actuating means operable thereafter in sequence rst to operate the first named power operated means to elevate said upper pin clamping means and second to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower pin clamping means to its pin receiving position.

3. A pin heading machine including means supporting a row of pins, means for heating one end of each pin, relatively movable upper and lower pin clamping means having alignable pin receiving grooves cooperating to clamp a pin, power operated means for reciprocating said upper pin clamping means upwardly and downwardly, power operated means for reciprocating said lower pin clamping means between two eXtreme positions in one of which the pin receiving grooves of said upper and lower pin clamping means are in alignment and in the other of which the lower pin clamping means is in a position to receive a pin from said pin supporting means, power operated means for feeding one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to said lower pin clamping means while it is in said pin receiving position, means for actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin from its pin receiving position to its position where the pin receiving groove thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving groove of the upper pin clamping means while said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the rst named power operated means to lower said upper pin clamping means into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the axis of said pin, actuating means operable thereafter in sequence rst to operate the rst named power operated means to elevate said upper pin clamping means and second to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower means to move said lower pin clamping means to its4 pin receiving position, and mechanism operable in response to said second operation to eject pin clamping means are in alignment and in the yother of which the lower pin clamping means is in a position to receive a pin from said pin supporting means, power operated means for feeding one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to said lower pin clamping means while it is in lsaid pin receiving position, means for actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin from its pin receiving position to its position where the pin receiving groove thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving groove of the upper pin clamping means while said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the iirst named power operated means to lower said upper pin clamping means into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the axis of said pin to form a head on said pin, and actuating means operable thereafter in sequence rst to operate therst named power operated means to elevate said upper pin clamping means and second to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower pin clamping means to its pin receiving position.

9. A pin heading machine including a frame, a top clamping cylinder on the top of said frame and extending downwardly into said opening, a vertically reciprocal clamping member on the bottom of said top clamping cylinder, a horizontally reciprocable clamping member adjustable into clamping aligned position with said rst named clamping member and. adjustable into a pin receiving position out of alignment with said rst clamping member, and a heading die member in alignment with said first clamping member reciprocable at right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said horizontally reciprocable clamping member adapted to head a pin held between said clamping dies.

10. A pin heading machine including means supporting a row of pins, means for heating one end of each pin by electrical induction, relatively movable upper and lower pin clamping means having alignable pin receiving grooves cooperating to clamp a pin, power operated means for reciprocating said upper pin clamping means upwardly and downwardly, power operated means for reciprocating said lower pin clamping means between two extreme positions in one of which the pin receiving grooves of said upper and lower pin clamping means are in alignment and in the other of which the lower pin clamping means is in a position to receive a pin from said pin supporting means, power operated means for feeding one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to said lower pin clamping means while it is in said pin receiving position, means for actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin from its pin e receiving position to its position where the pin 18 receiving groove thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving groove of the upper pin clamping means while said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the first named power operated means to lower said upper pin clamping means into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the aXis of said pin to form a head on said pin, actuating means operable thereafter in sequence rst to operate the first named power operated means to elevate said upper pin clamping means and second to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower pin clamping means to its pin receiving position, and means for removing said pin from said lower clamping means after said first-named power operated means is elevated, including an ejector.

1l. A pin heading machine including means supporting a row of pins, means for heating one end of each pin, relatively movable upper and lower` pin clamping means having alignable pin receiving grooves cooperating to clamp a pin, power operated means for reciprocating said upper pin clamping means upwardly and downwardly, power operated means for reciprocating said lower pin clamping means between two eX- treme positions in one of which the pin receiving grooves of said upper and lower pin clamping means are in alignment and in the other of which the lower pin clamping means is in a position to receive a pin from said pin supporting means, power operated means for feeding one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to s aid lower pin clamping means while it is in said pin receiving position, means for actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin from its pin receiving position to its position where the pin receiving groove thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving groove of the upper pin clamping means while said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the first named power operated means to lower said upper pin clamping means into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the axis of said pin to form a head on said pin, actuating means operable thereafter in sequence first to operate the first named power operated means to elevate said upper pin clamping means and second to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower pin clamping means to its pin receiving position, and means for re moving said pin from said lower clamping means after said first-named power operated means is elevated, including an ejector.

12. A pin heading machine including means supporting a row of pins, means for heating one end of each pin, relatively movable upper and lower pin clamping means having alignable pin receiving grooves cooperating to clamp a pin, power operated means for reciprocating said upper pin clamping means upwardly and downwardly, power operated means for reciprocating said lower pin clamping means between two extreme positions in one of which the pin receiving grooves of said upper and lower pin clamping means are in alignment and in the other of which the lower pin clamping means is in a position to receive a pin from said pin supporting means, power operated means for feeding one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to said lower pin clamping means while it is in said pin receiving position, means for actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin :from its pin receiving positief;

Ato its vposition where Vthe pin ,receivingy groove `thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving grooveof the upper pin clamping means while said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the rst named power Voperated means to lower said upper pin clamping Vmeans into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the axis of said pin to form a head on said pin, actuating means operable thereafter in sequence rst to operate the rst named power operated means to Velevate said upper pin clamping means and zsecondv to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower pin clamping 'means to its pin Vreceiving position,`mechanism operable while said 'lower pin clamping means Aisinv the aligned groove position to push a pin Veating said lower piny clamping means between two extreme positions in one of which the pin'receiving groovesV of said upper and lower pin clamping means are in alignment and in the other of which the lower pin clamping mea-ns is in a position to receive a pin from saidpin-sup- Vportingv means, power operated meansfor feedle of this patent:

ing one pin at a time from said pin supporting means to said lower pin clamping means while it is in said pin receiving position, means for actuating the second named power operated means to move it and a received pin from its pin receiving position to its position where the pin receiving groove thereof is in alignment with the pin receiving groove of the upper pin clamping means while said upper clamping means is elevated, means operable then to actuate the first named power operated means to lower saidv upper pin clamping means into pin clamping position, heading die means operable rectilinearly along the axis of said'pin to form a head on said pin, actuating meansV operable thereafterin'sequence rst to operate the irst named power operated means to elevate-saidv upper pin clamping means and 'second to operate the second named power operated means to move said lower -pin clamping means to its pin receiving position,

and means for removing said pin from said lower clamping means after said first-named power operated-means is elevated, including an ejector.

' FRED J. WRIGHT.

, REFERENCES CITED 'The following references are of record'in the UNITED STATES PATENTS 

